MANILA, Philippines - Air21 unveils its new import in LeRoy Hickerson against Coca-Cola, hoping the man will provide the boost in its drive to salvage a berth in the PBA Fiesta Conference playoffs today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Hopefully, our new import gives us not just the numbers but the confidence boost the team sorely needs. This is proof that we have not given up on this conference. We will keep fighting till the end,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.
The Express battle at 7:30 p.m. a Coca-Cola team which is also determined to come out strong in a bid to stay in the running for an outright quarterfinals seat.
The crucial Friday double-header pits Alaska Milk and Barako Energy Coffee in the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra is also replacing its import for the second time, looking for former Canadian national player Denham Brown in an attempt to fire up its bid for at least an outright quarterfinals seat.
Brown, who became a top collegiate prospect after scoring 111 points in a game for West Hill Institute versus R.H. King Academy in Toronto, is set to arrive today from the US.
“We’ll look at him in practice. If he’s okay and if we can work on his documents right away, then he’ll play Saturday against Talk n Text,” Ginebra coach Jong Uichico told The STAR.
“Hopefully, he’s okay and he can help us snap Talk n Text’s streak,” Uichico added.
The team management and coaching staff believe they can’t go far with current import Mildon Ambres, their second after Awvee Storey.
The Aces are looking to regain a piece of third place with the Ginebra Kings and the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados at 8-5 while the Energy Coffee Masters are out to climb out of the cellar like the Express.